Based on comments, I think having the QR mounted somewhere so it can't walk away is a good bet.

We mounted that brick! 

It has the County owned Lake Gregory which is popular and open to anyone for swimming, fishing and non-motorized recreation. 

I don't have any experience with The Motor City, and I suggest you get someone with boots on the ground experience there before you drop one dime on a tax sale.What I have heard is that sometimes these tax sales start immediate foreclosure proceedings to get the back taxes paid on them.

The target area is north eastern Los Angeles and its suburbs (Glendale, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Mount Washington neighborhood, Studio City, Hollywood Hills.

@Aimee Sowards-Mounts Thanks for your input.

=======Locate the septic feild(s)(s)(s).Have a scientific drinkability test on the tap water for any contaminates.Beware of big (and small) spiders in the basement.9 x 9 tiles are probably asbestos, same for the glue used to hold them down.Wiring and electrical panels may be at end of service life.Florescent lighting may be circa 1960 (I dream of Jeannie) lacking modern non-buzzing startups and be way to many for modern use (electrical hogs).Don't drink any of the water (or even get it splashed on you) without having it tested first.The building may have city water and well combination.Find all abandoned septic fields.Find out if the fire suppression equipment is up to spec with the local fire dept--inspections, types.Without a roof and with many broken out windows insurance may be hard to find.Paint--expect lead (the pealing type) of paint.Assume anything with capacitors-(HVAC, Florescent troffers, Kitchen electric motors, food service garbage disposals, etc.. )-the capacitors are bad--do not turn on until checked by a competent technician.Look for a basement.Look for fallout shelter(s)(s)(s) underground separate from the building (Duck and Cover Turtle era).Look for steam heat system and have it inspected for possible use or demolition.Look for abandoned wells, that may have dried up or were too contaminated to continue use.A phase 1 enviro would have been a good CYA move--you can bet any buyer from you will get one...Pay to have a written professional inspection done of the building to get a consolidated look at the things you will be facing.

And mounting...

The Mount Vernon area of New Kensington still seems to be a decent area to invest in, maybe not in terms of appreciation as much as cash flow, but nonetheless the numbers worked!

Mount is doing this (rentmount.com)